Marblehead High School grad organizes relief for Hurricane Irma victims

Monday

Oct 16, 2017 at 9:39 AMOct 16, 2017 at 9:39 AM

Reggie Plaisir, Marblehead High School class of '92 graduate, is working with St. Andrews Episcopal Church in an effort to bring relief to his beloved St. Martin, which was ravaged by Hurricane Irma.

From Oct. 23-31, St. Andrews will serve as a drop-off location for school supplies, baby products and canned food to be shipped to St. Martin. From Oct. 15-31, Marblehead Community Charter Public School will be the central location for drop offs.

Plaisir, 45, a Northeastern University Alumnus currently residing in Marblehead has created the website: www.stmaartenstrong.org as a vehicle for concerned citizens to donate to the relief efforts. Plaisir is looking for an individual, a company or organization to make an in-kind donation of a large container to be placed in the parking lot of MCCPS. The container would be used to house dry food supplies, school supplies and baby products to be shipped to the island.

All donations are 100 percent tax deductible. Small donations can be made through the new website. Larger contributions can be made through a bank check.

In addition, Plaisir is seeking five more volunteers to visit the island beginning on Nov. 15, to help in the recovery efforts. He is hoping to recruit construction workers, carpenters, masons or electricians to help rebuild on the island. All volunteers will receive complimentary accommodations.

“The residents of St. Martin suffered an unfathomable trauma, as their island was virtually destroyed," Plaisir said. "I am asking my fellow Marbleheaders to help them get through these distressing times.”